'The two faces of Madam Boateng': Fresh bullying allegations against wife of British High Commissioner in South Africa

Further details have emerged of the bullying allegations against the wife of Britain's High Commissioner in South Africa.

Staff at two official residences said Janet Boateng shouted abuse and appeared not to trust them, bringing in strict anti-theft measures.

The former Left-wing councillor was said to have treated some contractors so badly they refused to work for her again.

Paul and Janet Boateng: Staff have complained that Mrs Boateng shouted abuse and brought in strict anti-theft measures because she did not trust them

But the staff stressed that her husband Paul always treated them well. One called him 'a lovely man'.

As the Foreign Office continued to investigate the allegations, two former members of staff came forward to claim they first made official complaints two years ago.

Ex-policewoman Valerie Botha, 44, who was Mrs Boateng's social secretary, said she had been interviewed over the allegations by a Foreign Office official sent from London.

At one point, 52-year-old Mrs Boateng - who denies the allegations - is said to have 'squared up' to Mrs Botha.

'She was lovely to guests and other diplomats but would change with us and contractors,' said Mrs Botha, who like other staff called the High Commissioner's wife 'Madam'.

Valeria Botha: Mrs Boateng's former social secretary says they had difficulty getting caterers because of the way they were treated

'I don't know why she was like she was. A lot of contractors wouldn't come in the end.

'We had difficulty getting caterers because of the way they were treated.'

Mrs Botha said her complaints involved staff at both official residences, in Cape Town and Pretoria.

She claims she was told by a senior British official there was 'little that could be done' because Mrs Boateng was not a Foreign Office employee.

Two chefs, an estate manager, a residence manager and several others, including Mrs Botha, are said to have left because of their treatment.

Mr Boateng, 57, the former Brent South MP who became Britain's first black Cabinet Minister in 2002, stood down at the 2005 General Election after being given the coveted post of High Commissioner by Tony Blair.

He manages 180 diplomatic and consular staff. His wife, a social worker by training, is in charge of running the residences.

Mrs Botha's complaints were echoed by former house manager Fazley Ismail, 36, who alleged he also experienced Mrs Boateng shouting at staff and subjecting them to personal abuse and false claims of theft.

He joined the staff of the High Commission in 2006 and, he said, resigned after six months. He said Mrs Boateng's apparent distrust of staff had been a constant theme.

Mr Ismail said: 'I remember once we had a party in Cape Town for the opening of Parliament and there must have been 800 guests.

'After everyone had gone we had to take all the bottles of wine out of the bins and count them to check none had been stolen. None had.

'When the Boatengs went to the UK, we had to lock the cupboards and put silverware away in case it was stolen.

The Boateng's official residence in Cape Town has nine bedrooms and a heated swimming pool

'Once she accused a domestic of stealing a bed throw but it turned up in a locked room where Janet had put it.'

Mr Ismail added: 'In the end there was so much tension and you didn't know what she wanted. We were so unhappy.

'We had to ask for pens and stationery because they were locked away. It was ridiculous and so demeaning.

'When she wasn't there it was great. He (Paul Boateng) was a nice guy, a really genuine person and easy to deal with, a lovely man and always complimentary.'

Details of the complaints first emerged last week after a Freedom of Information request.

Mr Boateng has said in a statement: 'My wife's love of South Africa and its people is well-known, as is her role in the struggle against apartheid. These allegations are utterly without foundation.'